Families of September 11 is now operating as the For Action Initiative. The
web pages on this site are available for informational purposes only.
Please visit us at www.foractioninitiative.org.

Welcome

In the weeks and days leading up to the seventh commemoration of September 11, the FOS11 office was inundated with emails and calls from all over the world. There have been inquiries from the media and messages from individuals wanting to know how our family members are fairing in a time of painful remembrance. Many people called or wrote to us asking for our 9/11 bands as a way to express solidarity with bereaved parents, spouses, children and others. We would like to thank all those who kept us in their prayers and hearts. As each year passes people are moving on, but not forgetting our nation's tradgedy. It is gratifying and reassuring to know that the heartfelt expressions of so many are in themselves, a commemoration to our loved ones.

Issues Update

Ground Zero Update

Construction of Steel Framework Begins on Memorial at Ground ZeroMore than eight thousand tons of steel will be used in rebuilding the new World Trade Center buildings. The first beams will be erected this month as part of the WTC National Museum and Memorial. Click here to read more.

Latest Design for 9/11 Museum Merges Old and NewThe most recent design was unveiled on September 8th. Click her to read more.

Port Authority Indicates That Memorial Will be Completed by Tenth AnniversaryThe Port Authority of NY/NJ in a report to be released this week will anounce that the September 11th National Museum and Memorial will be completed in time for the tenth commemoration of the 9/11 attacks. A simplified design for the transit mezzanine below ground level will enable more rapid construction.Click here to read more.

New Study Involving WTC Survivors Expected to Help Save Lives in Future EvacuationsResearch done at the Universities of Greenwich, Ulster and Liverpool over a three and a half year period involved interviews with two hundred seventy-one survivors as well as computer simulations of the evacuation of the North Tower. The study provides a comprehensive look at what happened and provides suggestions for the development of safer procedures in the future. Click here to read more.

Many 9/11 Organizations Are Experiencing Funding DifficultiesWith the closure of the American Red Cross September 11th Recovery Program in June of this year, a major source of funding for non-profit agencies providing 9/11 related assistance has dried up. Click here to read more.

WTC Health Update

New York City Mayor's Office Releases New Report on the Health Impacts of September 11thThe World Trade Center Medical Working Group of New York City, a group of medical and health experts appointed by Mayor Bloomberg last year has released it's annual report. Key findings include high instances of post-traumatic stress disorder among rescue and recovery workers and Lower Manhattan residents, as well as respiratory problems, asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease. To read the report click here.

Bipartisan Bill Funding Health Care 9/11 First Responders Bogged Down in Congressional CommitteesIn spite of the support of many in Congress the bill, the Updated 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (HR6594), has stalled due to the uncertainty of how much the cost will be over the next several years. Click here to read editorial from the New York Times.

Health-care inequities revisited: the impact of 9/11An analysis of the need versus the cost of the federal government funding a permanent program to provide medical monitoring/screening to eligible responders and community members who were exposed to World Trade Center toxins, and medical treatment to those who are sick with World Trade Center-related health conditions, as called for in HR6594. Click here to read article.

WTC Disability: Deadline Extended for Eligible NYC EmployeesThe deadline for eligible New York City employees to file a WTC-related Notice of Participation with their retirement systems has been extended to June 14, 2009. The WTC Disability Law provides a disability retirement benefit to eligible NYC employees who became disabled by participating in the WTC rescue and recovery operations between September 11, 2001 and September 12, 2002.

Families of September 11 encourages all those who feel their health was affected by the terror attacks of 9/11 to visit our website Health Resources page (Click here) to keep abreast of new developments. The Health Resources page contains up to date information on the latest news articles, medical reports, and treatment resources related to 9/11 health issues.

Families of September 11, in partnership with Transportation Security Administration and The Camilla Group held two speaking events this month. They both took place on September 15th in Nashville Tennessee. The events were moderated by Ms. Carie Lemack, one of the founders and former board member of Families of September 11. Approximately eighty TSA personnel participated in the events. There was a standing ovation before and after the second session. The audience members were grateful for the visit and hopeful the visits could continue.

Upcoming Events

Save the Date: Tuesday’s Children will be hosting a luncheon entitled 9/11 Women of Strength, on November 5, 2008, at the Yale Club. Women who have done extraordinary things after 9/11 will be honored. For more information contact Candy at: Candy@tuesdayschildren.org.Parenting Your Teen: Parent Support Groups developed in collaboration with Adelphi University Parenting Institute, location TBD -September 16, 23, October 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 12. For more information contact Candy@tuesdayschildren.org.

September 11 National Museum and Memorial - Conference On October 3-4, 2008 the National Museum and Memorial will sponsor a conference <i>Memory and Trauma: The Stakes of a Memorial Museum</i>. How does a Memorial Museum negotiate the passage from memory to history, taking from both, to create an institution that makes meaning of the past? Scholars and practitioners from the United States and France will consider a range of episodes in both countries’ histories, and the stakes involved in bringing these events into museum settings. Click here to download brochure.

Resources

NYC 9/11 Benefit ProgramThe NYC 9/11 Benefit Program is providing coverage for those who need help. To ensure that all needs are met, the Health Department will reimburse out-of-pocket costs for mental health or substance abuse treatment through a claims process similiar to any insurance benefit. New York City residents and city workers in surrounding areas can find out if they are eligible by calling 311 or visiting www.nyc.gov/9-11mentalhealth.

Walk-in Legal Clinics Offered by WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program at Mount SinaiAll 9/11 responders are encouraged to register to protect their right to file for future Workers’ Compensation benefits. Whether or not you have already filed a claim, whether you are sick or well, everyone is encouraged to file in case you get sick in the future. The WTC Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program at Mount Sinai is offering free walk-in legal clinics for assistance in filling out the WTC-12 form. Location for legal clinics will be determined and announced. For more information, call (212) 241-6307, or (888) 702-0630, or visit www.wtcexams.org.

LifeNet (NYC) If you or someone you know in the New York City area is suffering with emotional or substance abuse problems, LifeNet can help. LifeNet counselors are available, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and speak a variety of languages. LifeNet is a program of the Mental Health Association of NYC, Inc. To learn more about LifeNet click here. You can reach LifeNet by calling any one of the toll-free, anonymous hotlines: (800) LifeNet (800) 543-3638 (English) (877) Ayudese (877) 298-3373 (Spanish) (877) 990-8585 (Asian LifeNet) (212) 982-5284 (TTY)

Tuesday's Childrenhttp://www.tuesdayschildren.org/Supporting children affected by 9/11.Tuesday's Children is a non-profit family service organization that has made a long-term commitment to every individual who was directly impacted by the events of September 11, 2001, providing a wide range of programming including mentoring, educational and career guidance, leadership training and life management programs, all designed to address the unmet needs of 9/11 family members at each and every stage of life and recovery. Tuesday's Children's programs are created by the families, for the families with one simple goal - to develop the resources and support necessary for our families to not only recover, but to reach their full potential.

Contact Us

Online

By Phone

General information: 212-575-1878

Families of September 11 (FOS11) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by families of those who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks. Membership is open to anyone affected by the events of September 11, 2001. More than 2,400 people worldwide have chosen to join us.

Families of September 11 is an accredited charity and is a member of the Seal Program, which indicates that our organization has met the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. For more information about the Standards, please visit the BBB of Metro New York's website at http://www.newyork.bbb.org/.

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